The Story of Sarah's Spine

First Extension - April 15, 2009

2009-04-16T23:28:00.003-02:00

I have officially had my first rod extension and it went really, really well - SO MUCH BETTER than I expected. I got to come home the evening of the same day they did the surgery. The best part is, now I won't have to dread this every 6 months when they have to extend the rods again.
Dr Oswald said that my bones were SO ready to grow that when he loosened the screws, my bones automatically stretched apart, he didn't even have to pull. I think I've "grown" about an inch or maybe two. I got some new Jonas magazines and an awesome High School Musical balloon and MORE Jonas stuff from Uncle Justin and Nonna! I'd say it was a pretty good day.

Goofy Juice!

2009-04-16T23:06:00.002-02:00

The nurse came in to give me some "goofy juice" and in just a few minutes I had my family cracking up. I don't know why they were laughing, afterall they were the ones with two heads and four eyes. Ha! Ha!

All Done!

2009-04-16T22:21:00.012-02:00

I was so happy that I wasn't hurting so, so bad when I got out of surgery. I was very surprised! The only thing was that my tummy was a little queasy, but I got some medicine for that and felt much better.

Krispy Kreme!

2009-04-16T22:17:00.012-02:00

Can you believe when I left the hospital the first place I wanted to go was Krispy Kreme! I was super hungry because I had not eaten and I LOVE hot doughnuts! I got pretty tired, and didn't stay long, but they were YUMMY!!!

I'M FREE, I'M FREE

2008-12-08T20:35:00.002-02:00

Today I went to see Dr. Oswald. I really like him and I really like Ms. Glenda. They are both really sweet. Today was the day that I found out if I was "free" or not. Yeah, I am. My mom asked Dr. Oswald if I could come out of the brace. He hesitated (just a little) and thought about it and said "yes". Thank you , Thank you Dr. Oswald. And I promise I will be very careful. I really wanted to take it home and burn it but he said we needed to save it in case we needed it again. I will be careful so I won't need it. I asked if I could ride a bike and he said "sure, but you can't fall". I went christmas shopping with my mawmaw today and I can't wait to wear my new

cute clothes without a brace.I love my new sweater ---->>> and I HATE!!!!!!!!! my UGLY! brace good bye forev :) :) :)

_____

PRAY ABOUT MY BRACE

2008-12-07T17:42:00.002-02:00

Hi, tomorrow I go to Dr. Oswald to see if I can take my brace off. PRAY for me that it will be time. It hasn't been very hard, but I am tired of it and it makes my clothes look ugly! I will try to understand if he says no, but I am hoping and hoping the answer will be yes. I will let everybody know tomorrow the good news or bad news. Love, Sarah

HALLOWEEN FUN

2008-11-01T19:30:00.003-02:00

Having fun on Halloween. This is me with Emme, Olivia, Meghan, and my brother Caden. We had fun at our church. They always have trunk or treat and we go to each car to get candy. After church I went trick or treating at some houses. It was really fun and I got more candy than ever!!! Emme and Olivia came from Alabama to trick or treat and they really had fun. I really missed you Syd, my bestie and cuz!! And I really, really missed my Granddaddy. He had to be in Mexico for my cousin Amy and her orphanage. But it was a fun Halloween and really cold.

My Guitar Charm

2008-10-29T23:34:00.002-02:00

I luv,luv,luv guitar. My teacher Rusty is teaching me the Hannah Montana Theme Song. He asked my favorite music and I told him the Jonas Brothers. Can you believe he NEVER heard of them???? But he is going to listen to them and I asked to learn Love Bug. Today my teacher did a special thing. He told me he had this guitar charm and he told me he decided I was his "perfect candidate" for him to give it to. That was so neat. I love it. I am going to put it on a necklace. Thank you, Thank you Mr. Rusty

YUMMY!!!!

2008-10-29T23:26:00.001-02:00

Me and my cuz acting crazy as usual!! Having fun carving pumpkins

MY NEW GUITAR!!!!

2008-10-09T18:48:00.002-02:00

I love, love, love my new guitar. I got an electric one and an amplifier. I am so excited! This is a picture at my first guitar lesson. I am taking every week and I can't wait until I can play. He said I might have to cut my fingernails. But, oh well, they will grow back. I have wanted to do this for so long and I can't believe I am really doing it. I hope I can learn fast. I loved my first lesson and learned a lot. Wish me luck!!

My New Back

2008-10-02T22:49:00.003-02:00

This is my new back. Everybody is right, the scars do look gross!! But that is ok because I am happy that my back is straighter and my shoulders are even. And the scars will go away a lot. Before when I looked in the mirror one shoulder was really a lot higher than the other. I was surprised when I saw them even. The doctor said each time he makes my rods longer he will be able to straighten a little bit more each time. I am doing great because

of people praying for me and a great doctor! I thought about some funny things about my rods. I asked my doctor if I would beep going through an airport. He said sometimes with the new security they beep so he gave us an xray to show them if I fly. Also, today I asked my mom if I could put magnets on my back to see if they would stick, she said yeah we could see. Then she said OH NO we can't! If they stuck it might pull the rods out of place!! I am glad we thought about that.

Doing Great!!

2008-10-02T01:34:00.003-02:00

I finally got a picture of me at church. My camera kept messing up. This is my cousin Syd and one of my friends Katie. I have been to church several times. I was really hating my brace a lot but now it is not too bad. I went to the doctor and he gave me good news. He said the anchor points are holding like he wanted them to! I am very happy about that. I asked Dr. Oswald when I could take my brace off. He was kidding with me and said if he was in a good mood in three months he would think about it. He really just needs to make sure everything is still holding. He did talk about my next surgery. It will be in March. I don't know much about it but I know it won't be as bad as the first one. I got my new Halloween costume. Every year my brother and I go with our Mamaw and she let's us pick out any costume we want. It is really fun. Mine is really cute. It is called a Blueberry Girl. I think it looks cuter without the brace on but it can fit over my brace too. It has a little bonnet that goes with it. My bandages are all off now and you can see the scars. They are healing like the doctor wanted them to. They itch a lot but are getting better. I can't see the scars too good but everybody thinks they look disgusting. My little brother almost fainted when he saw them. But they will get better. Thank you everybody for writing to me and don't stop. I am going to try to post an update at least once a week.

Outside and feeling better!

2008-09-20T23:47:00.003-02:00

I have been to church three times, and my camera didn't work. I will try to get a picture tomorrow. For a few days I didn't feel really good. I lost 5 pounds and my brace wasn't fitting right. It was really irritating. One day I felt better and went for a walk outside and back to the basketball goal. I got two more baskets but it still hurt a little. I wanted to see if I could swing and I could but my Mom said I couldn't go high. It was fun anyway.

Making AWESOME progress

2008-09-13T22:48:00.003-02:00

Tonight Sarah walked almost 3/8 mi. in her neighborhood (YAY!) and if that was not amazing enough, when she got back to the cul-de-sac, Caden was playing basketball out in front of the house and she picked up the basketball and MADE TWO BASKETS!!!! GO Sarah -

God deserves all the praise and glory for the remarkable progress Sarah has made, and the great strides she continues to make each and every day.

"For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal,
declares the LORD" Jeremiah 30:17

To GOD ALONE be the glory, great things HE has done!

Friday September 12

2008-09-13T01:28:00.006-02:00

Does this look like someone who just had major spine surgery 9 days ago? Tonight was my first big outing. We went with the Parks and Pecces to Spaghetti Factory in Atlanta and then, of course, to Krispy Kreme. FUN! FUN! FUN! Braxton LOVES being with "all the girls", Monkey Joe, Spanky, Swamp Worm, and Lilo.

YAY!

2008-09-11T13:53:00.001-02:00

I made it to church last night. It was fun letting everyone sign my brace. I know I will keep getting stronger and stronger everyday because God is good and He answers prayers.

Wednesday Sept 10

2008-09-10T14:05:00.001-02:00

Please pray for me today. I am hurting alot and just can't seem to get comfortable. I really want to go to church tonight, but I am going to have to get feeling alot better to be able to go.

Sarah

SO,SO, SO EXCITED!!

2008-09-09T22:26:00.001-02:00

Eventhough I went through ALOT, and in some ways it seemed like it lasted 4EVER, God helped me so much and it's pretty unbelievable that by the third day I was able to get up and walk around. I have had so many miracles in my life it's amazing, but, that's God!
I am so glad to be home now. I am wearing my brace alot and doing alot of walking. I know I will be getting stronger and stronger every single day. Most of all, I am very, very relieved to have this behind me because I dreaded it for so long. I am happy to be straight, I am definitely happy to be taller! I am a a girl who has been SO-o-o-o blessed!!! Keep praying for me.

Getting ready to come home

2008-09-09T22:00:00.003-02:00

Taking out my last I.V. - gosh, I HATE those things. They should be against the law, actually, ALOT of the stuff they did (and tried to do) should be! LOL!!

Don't Even Ask.....

2008-09-08T10:55:00.005-02:00

prune juice, apple juice, 2 enemas, varsity burger and onion rings, 2suppositories, miralax, go-lightly, grapes, ex-lax, water, McDonalds, A BRICK ON THE BELLY (ask Mrs. Cindy McCloud about that one LOL! ) and laying on hands in

P R A Y E R .....

We tried all these things to get my tummy going and this morning it finally did and I am making plans to go home! It will take a while to get me checked out, lots of papers to fill out, instructions for what to do at home, and also couple of my nurses that have been off for the weekend want to see me walk....but after that, I'll be HOME SWEET HOME! Can't wait!

More later,

Sarah

Feeling good!

2008-09-07T16:17:00.004-02:00

I walked around the circle in the hall about 4 times! They are in the middle of building a new nurses' station, so right now, it's just sheetrock and anyone who wants to can draw, color, or write all over it. Check out MY artwork! How do you like my "before and after"?

Saturday was a SUPER Day!

2008-09-07T16:10:00.004-02:00

Caden brought a bag of goodies and cards from his kindergarten class. Syd and I got so cracked up at some of the cards and the spelling! So funny! It was very sweet of them to think of me. Very, very cute! Everyone was SO, SO happy to see me laughing.

WOW!

2008-09-06T16:38:00.005-02:00

Guess who walked ALL THE WAY AROUND the big circle at the end of the hall today? ME!!!
I saw all of the autographs and art work done last night by Katie, Maddie, Braxton, Sydney and Aunt Kim on the walls. I even stood at the mirror in my room (with help ;-) and fixed my hair. All this tired me out so now I am back in bed reading my JoBros magazines.

Awake for Company

2008-09-06T13:20:00.005-02:00

After a rough day, yesterday evening I was able to be awake some and talk a little bit. Braxton Parks came to visit me - it was the first time he's ever been to visit anyone at the hospital and he wasn't quite sure what to think. He was really wanting me to wake up because I was asleep when he first got there, but finally I woke up and he gave me a present. It was AWESOME! A Jonas Brothers pillow, t shirt, and MAGAZINE! I am going to LOVE having so many magzines to look at while I can't do much of anything else.

I have to do lots of walking today, so keep on praying that I can do that without TONS of pain.

Love you all - thanks for the thoughts and prayers!

Check me out!

2008-09-05T19:04:00.003-02:00

WOW! today's been quite a roller coaster! I was able to sit up in the rocking chair for an hour WITH MY BRACE ON and it was pretty okay, not great, but definitely not horrible - for sure not as terrible as the first time they made me sit up today!!! Can you tell from looking at me standing next to Syd that I am three inches taller?

I am really, super tired now from sitting up and walking to the bathroom, so I am going back to bed now. Thank you to God for helping me today!I sure hope tomorrow will be better.

Sarah (typed for me by Aunt Kim)

Friday morning - September 5

2008-09-05T10:12:00.002-02:00

Sarah started running a high fever during the late evening and through the night. She is very, very sore and in so much pain. She is getting valium on top of the morphine because she's extremely upset. Today she will have to have the brace taken off, get up and sit for an hour, and do a little walking. It's going to be a BIG day with alot of activity. Sarah is agitated and emotionally and physically spent! The doctors say that the first couple days are absoutely the worst and once she "turns the corner" it will be so much easier and so much better.

God has been so faithful in bringing Sarah through and giving such great success with the surgery. We know HE will continue to watch her and keep her in HIS loving care.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness" Lamentations 3:22-24

Thursday Afternoon

2008-09-04T19:50:00.004-02:00

Some of the swelling is beginning to go down so the concern of going into congestive heart failure is diminishing somewhat. Sarah's heart, oxygen, and respirations will continue to be monitored very closely. Tomorrow she will have to get up and stand and walk a little and then sit in a chair for an hour at the time. Please pray that she can do this with minimal pain, as being in such excrutiating pain increases the strain on her heart.

Tough Night!

2008-09-04T11:16:00.000-02:00

Sarah had a difficult night. At about 6 o'clock we noticed that she was having alot of swelling in her hands and feet as well as her little face. This is not abnormal after surgery but for Sarah, who has chronic congestive heart failure, it's a concern. By about 9 o'clock the swelling was most noticeable right above her heart and up around her left collar bone. Late in the night she became severely nauseated and began vomiting, needless to say, this made for a night long night of suffering. Sarah is very sick today and hurting alot and the nurses said to be prepared for a very hard day and night again. The effects of the anesthesia will have worn off and she will be in a tremendous amount of pain. Her blood pressue is low and if it goes any lower they won't be able to give her the morphine anymore. BUT,we know that God is faithful and He as done a great work already, and we believe that He will continue. Just pray for Sarah, Vicki, and Phil. Vicki an Phil are exhausted but naturally will not leave Sarah's side.

Okay, I am in my room now

2008-09-03T20:32:00.001-02:00

Sarah is in a room now and boy is he tired! What a day....She will have to wake up every two hours to be rolled over. They call it "log rolling" She says she definitely feels like a log. Aunt Kim showed her a picture of her new back and she said "WOW!" I can't believe it's so straight. Have you seen the before and after pictures?

12 noon - the surgery is a success

2008-09-03T15:46:00.001-02:00

The surgeon just called into the waiting room and said the surgery went very well. He said it was textbook perfect! You won't believe this....Dr Oswald let me listen to HIS ipod while I was going off to sleep. He had JONAS BROTHERS!!

Now I am in recovery, groggy, hurting, and trying to sleep. They are monitoring my heart to make sure everything is still well there. WOW - Get this! They just said tomorrow I will have to get up and walk - WHAT??? well, we'll just see about that won't we? LOL :-)

More later

Sarah

September 3rd - It's the BIG DAY!

2008-09-02T10:08:00.000-02:00

okay, well, the doctors just called into the waiting room to say that they have given me anesthesia and are "in" my back and things are going pretty well. Keep praying. I was really scared when it got to be time to go but I had LOTS of people, (I think it was the most people the nurses had EVER seen in one room;-) check out my new pictures below. There are about 25 people, family and friends anxiously awaiting.